Elliptical Exercise and Recreational Appliance

ABSTRACT

A versatile foam appliance having an elliptical block shape in various sizes used for resistance training during yoga and other isotonic exercise routines both by support via resistant pressure between specific body parts of a user, and by placing between the user and any stable, flat surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Related to the present invention are:

Sencil's Leg Extension Machine, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,996 B1, June of 2001 and Edwards' Yoga Grip Block, U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,791 B2, January of 2007.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention did not result from any federally sponsored research or development.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view thereof wherein the right side view is a mirror image of the left side;

FIG. 2 is an elevational end view thereof wherein the front end view is a mirror image of the rear end view;

FIG. 3 is an elevational top view thereof wherein the top view is a mirror image of the bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FEATURE DESCRIPTION Background of the invention

1. Field of the Invention

One of the most fundamental goals of exercise routines is to build muscle tone, strength, and increased range of motion. To do this, the human form can be held in various poses with the limbs held at various positions for a set time, or count. This is the physical essence of such practices as Tai Chi, Pilates, and Yoga. The effective gain toward the above-stated end of such routines is limited to the force the human body must exert against gravity, unless isotonic resistive force is added to the routine. Such force enables the practitioner to use the force of say, one hand to push against the other hand, thus vastly increasing the amount of exertion the muscle groups of the hands, arms, shoulders, back, and neck put forth, thereby experiencing a much more intense workout.

2. Prior Art

Many devices have been created to achieve the above goals, such as Sencil's Leg Extension Machine of U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,996 B1 of June 2001. It has long been known by practitioners of yoga that this can also be accomplished by stretching the human body while bracing the hands against the floor, for which routine Edwards' Yoga Grip Block of U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,791 B2 of January 2007 may be employed, as well as by using resistive force between two parts of the human body.

The results of this latter practice can be accentuated by using props which force the practitioner to exert effort and control over muscle groups to hold the prop in place during routines. The present appliance was invented to provide a supported back-bend and enable simple stretching. It also has the potential for much broader applications in the practice of Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, etc. The unique shape of this appliance, combined with the material of manufacture and the plurality of sizes, allow the device to be used in yoga, pilates, swimming, nondescript exercise routines, as well as other recreational pursuits and games.

This invention relates to the exercising of specific muscle groups through application of tandem resistant force applied between muscle groups as well as application of force against a solid, flat surface support, both of which cause isotonic muscular contractions and subsequently strengthen muscles and improve joint mobility.

The particular elliptical curvature of this device embodies its functionality, making it comfortably fit the human form in many ways, in many places. Whether held between the back, torso, thigh, knee, foot, head, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, and another part of the human body or any flat surface, this device aids the practitioner in improving alignment and balance, developing increased range of motion and building muscle strength when included in exercise routines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an extremely versatile exercise appliance ergonomically shaped to allow practitioners maximum benefit from isotonic routines that will use the holding of this device between extremities, in crooks of the body as in the elbow, knee, neck, and ankle areas to enhance the isometric and passive effects of such routines. The appliance is made of medium weight foam that has been cut and sanded to a soft finish. It is manufactured in various sizes, ranging from one to thirty inches in length, one to twenty inches in width, and one to twenty inches in height. It is manufactured in various colors. It is elliptical in shape allowing it to be grasped by most of the jointed structures of the human. As well, it can be used in the manner of a pad against any stable, flat surface, such as a wall, as in when a practitioner may brace extremities, limbs, head, neck, back, shoulders, hips, or buttocks while leaning into the wall or upon a floor or table. 

1. An appliance in the form of an elliptical block, shaped thus for ergonomic versatility, used during yoga and other exercise routines, both by support via resistant pressure between body parts of users against other body parts of users, and by users between the users' body parts and any stable, flat surface;
 2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the device is symmetrical on two axes;
 3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the device is assymetrical on one of its axes;
 4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the device is manufactured from sheets of medium density foam, cut to size and surface sanded to have a soft texture;
 5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the device is manufactured from any of a variety of other materials to allow for a range of density and resiliancy, namely cork, wood, metal, plastic, or rubber;
 6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the device is manufactured as a shaped container, namely a beanbag made from a two-dimensional surface material such as fabric or plastic that embodies the elliptical shape of the appliance, and is filled with any of a variety of materials to allow for a range of density and resiliancy, namely granulated solids such as beads, or liquids such as water or gel, or is inflatable with air;
 7. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the size of said appliance is variable, a) the length of the appliance, 1 in FIG. 4, along its major axis ranges from about 1″ to 30″; b) the height of the appliance, 2 in FIG. 4, along its minor axis ranges from about 1″ to 20″; c) the width of the appliance, 3 in FIG. 5, ranges from about 1″ to 20″. 